Can I connect to two ISPs simultaneously?

Question

I have a client that needs reliable internet access. She already has internet access with the local cable company and a separate DSL access with the phone company. Either service could go down once per month for a half a day.
What if I connect the LAN side of both modems to a switch/hub and connect another cable from the switch to the WAN port of a router. The LAN side of the router will connect to all the devices in-house. The router is the DHCP server on the LAN side (192.168.1.xxx) and both modems plus the WAN side of the router will have fixed IPs (192.168.0.xxx).

Is there any chance this will work? Cost is not an issue, it has to be available 24/365.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

To connect two ISP connections (WANs) to one home network (LAN) you need a dual WAN router. http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-RV042-4-port-100-Router/dp/B0002I7288/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331886143&sr=1-1

However if your statement "Cost is not an issue, it has to be available 24/365" is true you need a dedicated commercial T1 line or Metro Ethernet connection. http://isp1.us/t1/

A T1 line is a relatively expensive, direct, dedicated connection with a guaranteed uptime and level of service. A T1 line transmits data at 1.544Mbps both upload and download. T1 pricing depends on the distance that the circuit has to be run. The minimum price is around $250 per month. T1 lines are intended for businesses that can't afford any downtime, and need service restored quickly if there is a unforeseen problem. T1 lines can also be split to provide up to 24 telephone connections.

Good Luck...

johntrottier · Answer

No, that plan will not function correctly
What you need to do is channel all internet traffic through a gateway that has two Ethernet connections
If the primary internet connection fails (you'll need to program a test that the gateway can monitor) for a set period of time, the gateway would switch the connection to the backup (DSL) connection.
When the primary connection returns, it could switch back
This can be done for a fairly low cost

While it is possible to have multiple internet feeds (multiple T1 lines, for example) the router and load balance equipment that handle these chores are really expensive. If you have that kind of a budget, get a professional

? · Answer

Just get a Dual WAN router. It doesn't give you simultaneous connections, but a backup if the primary goes down.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps9925/index.html

If you consider your current service as that unreliable, sounds like your basic home service, maybe you need to upgrade to a T1

DrDave · Answer

Set her up with 2 wireless routers. I find it hard to believe she has issues with both of them to begin with. Sounds more like a power grid failure and regardless of what you do, she ain't gonna connect to anything.

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Can I connect to two ISPs simultaneously?

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